NAB launches Chairman’s Award

Kelsey Grammer to be first honoree

When Kelsey Grammer steps up to accept the first NAB Television Chairman’s Award on Monday, he might be in rare company.

“We may not do this award every year,” says NAB Television Board chairman K. James Yager, CEO of Barrington Broadcast Group. “We’ve always recognized one individual’s contribution to television, primarily in the performance areas, so the recipients have been news people or the star of a television program. But we’ve ignored the creative side, which is an important part of NAB.”

The new award recognizes individuals for a significant breakthrough in one or more TV disciplines.

“In the future, we won’t just be considering an actor who has branched out to other areas, but producers, directors and writers,” Yager says. “We just feel it’s good to have an award for those who have found success in more than one discipline. For this first award, Kelsey came quickly to mind.”

Grammer gained fame as a TV actor on “Cheers” and “Frasier” before starting a second career as the executive producer of series such as “Girlfriends,” “The Game” and “Medium.”

“This is a great honor, especially coming from an organization like the NAB,” Grammer says. “I am very proud of my association with the television industry, and I’m proud to be the recipient of this inaugural award.”